News Animals

Nematode sperm go rogue

When worms crossbreed, male gametes can render partners almost sterile or even kill them

RAMPAGING SPERM  After an unfortunate cross-species mating, sperm from one species (red) burst out of the reproductive area of the other and crawl toward the head, at lower right.

Gavin Woodruff

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

When nematodes have sex with the wrong species, sperm can turn into rampaging killers.